“Every submission is a step closer to success—keep pushing, keep growing, and trust in your creative journey.”
~ Vinh Van Lam
For artists and designers working in the licensing industry, the submission process can be both exciting and daunting. Whether it’s a call for designs from a favorite brand or a potential licensing deal for your artwork, the opportunity to share your creative work with a wider audience is always thrilling. However, the road to success in licensing is rarely straightforward, and it’s easy to feel discouraged when your work isn’t selected. The key is to remember that rejection is not failure—it’s a step in the journey, a learning experience that ultimately helps you grow as a creative professional.
This article is meant to offer encouragement and practical advice for artists and designers who find themselves facing the challenges of repeated submissions in the licensing industry. We’ll explore why it’s important to keep submitting your work, how to stay motivated even when your designs aren’t selected, and how to view the process as an opportunity to get your work in front of companies, allowing them to get familiar with your style over time.
1. Submit, Submit, Submit: Why You Should Always Go for It
When a new call for artwork or designs is announced, it’s common to hesitate—especially if you’ve submitted work in the past and it wasn’t selected. You might wonder, “What’s the point of trying again?” The truth is, the only way to increase your chances of being selected is to keep submitting. Every submission represents another opportunity to get your work in front of decision-makers, and each submission is a chance to improve your skills and adapt your approach.
Artists who achieve success in the licensing industry often talk about how persistence is the key. Many didn’t get their work selected on the first try—or even the second or third—but they kept submitting. Perseverance is what sets successful artists apart. They understand that every “no” brings them one step closer to a “yes.”
Remember, just because your work wasn’t chosen in one round of submissions doesn’t mean it wasn’t good enough. It might simply not have aligned with the particular vision the company had at that moment. Licensing calls often have specific themes, styles, or trends they are looking for, and sometimes your work may not fit that particular brief. That doesn’t mean your work lacks value—it just means it wasn’t the right fit for that specific call.
2. Understanding the Brief: The Key to Successful Submissions
One of the most important aspects of submitting work for licensing opportunities is reading and understanding the brief carefully. The brief will usually contain specific guidelines, keywords, and directions about what the company is looking for. These details are crucial in shaping your submission.
For example, a brief might call for “whimsical, nature-inspired patterns” or “bright, contemporary designs with a playful touch.” Pay attention to these keywords—they give you insight into the mood, theme, and aesthetic the company wants. Missing the mark on a brief, no matter how good your artwork, can lessen your chances of getting selected.
Before submitting, ask yourself:
- Does my design match the style and theme requested?
- Have I followed all technical requirements (size, format, color palette)?
- Is my submission aligned with the brand’s overall aesthetic?
By tailoring your work to the brief, you increase your chances of standing out. But remember, even with perfect alignment, selection is never guaranteed. It’s simply part of the process.
3. Rejections Are Not the End: Learning from Every Submission
It’s natural to feel disheartened when your work isn’t selected, but rejection should never be a reason to stop submitting. Rejection is a normal part of the creative process, especially in a competitive field like licensing. Every artist, even the most successful ones, has faced it numerous times.
Instead of viewing rejection as failure, see it as an opportunity for growth. If possible, try to get feedback on why your submission wasn’t chosen. Some companies will provide feedback, which can offer invaluable insight into how to improve your future submissions. Use this as a learning tool to sharpen your skills, adapt your approach, or even push your creative boundaries.
Even if you don’t receive feedback, you can conduct a self-assessment. Revisit the brief and compare it to your submission. Were there areas where your work deviated from the brief? Was your style too far from the brand’s aesthetic? Identifying these aspects can help guide your next submission.
4. Build Relationships Through Consistency
One often overlooked benefit of submitting work, even if it isn’t selected, is that you are consistently getting your work in front of the company you want to work with. Over time, as you keep submitting, these companies will become familiar with your style and your brand. This is an important factor in the licensing world: familiarity builds trust, and trust leads to opportunities.
A company may not select your work the first time, but if they see your submissions consistently over time, they begin to recognize your dedication, professionalism, and the evolution of your creative style. As they become more familiar with your work, they may start to see where your style could fit into their projects, and that’s when opportunities arise.
For instance, some artists report that they were only selected after submitting several times, with their work getting picked on the third, fourth, or even fifth submission. By remaining consistent and continuing to submit, these artists demonstrated that they were committed to their craft and serious about working with the brand. In the end, their persistence paid off.
5. Success Takes Time: Patience Is Key
It’s important to remember that success in the licensing industry doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and multiple attempts to break through. Many artists expect immediate results after submitting their work and may feel discouraged when it doesn’t happen. However, licensing is often a long-term game. Just because you weren’t selected today doesn’t mean you won’t be selected tomorrow—or next month, or next year.
Patience is key. Trust in the process and in your talent. Each submission is an opportunity to improve your work, build relationships with companies, and increase the visibility of your brand. Every time you submit, you’re one step closer to being selected.
6. Keep Going: The Value of Persistence
Ultimately, the most important message for any artist or designer working in the licensing industry is don’t give up. Every submission, whether selected or not, is a valuable step in your creative journey. It’s easy to become discouraged, especially when you put your heart into your work and it doesn’t get the recognition you hoped for. But remember, persistence is one of the most important qualities an artist can have.
By continuing to submit your work, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance for success. With each submission, you learn more about the industry, refine your creative skills, and build relationships with brands. Eventually, your persistence will pay off.
So, the next time there’s a call for art or designs, don’t hesitate—submit your work with confidence. Every submission brings you closer to your goal, and who knows? Your next one might be the one that opens the door to an exciting new opportunity. Keep going, keep growing, and trust in your creative journey.
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To your success, Vinh Van Lam and Stuart Horrex Cofounders ArtSHINE.com
